Cubs power out three home runs, topple Pirates in road opener
Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Cubs power out three home runs, topple Pirates in road opener


by - Senior Writer -

PITTSBURGH — Getting back on track after losing two straight, the Chicago Cubs (4-3) won the opener of a three-game set versus the Pittsburgh Pirates (1-6) 4-2 on Thursday. The North Siders scored all four of their runs at PNC Park via three homers, starting with an opening-inning solo drive by Kris Bryant. Javy Baez golfed a go-ahead two-run shot into the bleachers, and Anthony Rizzo added an insurance run with a late solo dinger. Jake Arrieta started on the bump for the Cubs and earned the winning decision for his six-inning performance.

Bryant kicked off the scoring with a 419-foot blast out to straightaway center field. Tyler Anderson gave up the first-inning bomb. The first two batters of the second inning reached before David Bote grounded into a double play. Arrieta tabbed a clutch strikeout to leave the bases loaded in the second. Bryant doubled in the third but did not score. Jake Marisnick was caught in a rundown while attempting to steal second in the fourth and got tagged out.

The Buccos got on the board and then took the lead in the bottom of the fourth. A sacrifice fly by Dustin Fowler plated Gregory Polanco, and Jacob Stallings came home on a base knock by Adam Frazier. Willson Contreras was gunned down attempting to stretch a fifth-inning single into a double. Rizzo singled in the sixth, and Baez proceeded to swing at a low breaking ball, which was fairly close to the dirt, and send it over the wall in the left field corner. Anderson was pulled soon afterward.

Following a pitching change in the eighth, Rizzo went yard off Sam Howard, with his 409-foot solo round-tripper to right resulting in the eventual final score of 4-2. After inheriting a bases-loaded situation in the eighth, Craig Kimbrel escaped the jam by striking out two batters in a row. He finished off the Pirates with a 1-2-3 ninth, locking up the 4-2 Cubs victory and registering his 350th career save.

Comment on this story
Print   
Send Feedback to Cole Little: Email | Comment
Justice Department announces settlement with Cubs over Wrigley Field accessibility
Justice Department announces settlement with Cubs over Wrigley Field accessibility
Cubs make roster move, two players elect free agency
Cubs make roster move, two players elect free agency
Bears announce three players out against Cardinals
Bears announce three players out against Cardinals
Post your comments!